Islanders News

ISLANDERS ADD TOP PROSPECTLW Sean Bentivoglio, CHA Player of the Year and Providence Bruins standout, signs three-year contract

by
Jason Lockhart
/ New York Islanders

Sean Bentivoglio

The Islanders added to their list of top prospects late Sunday evening with the signing of free agent left wing SEAN BENTIVOGLIO to a three-year contract. Bentivoglio was the CHA Player of the Year at Niagara University last season and then went 3-11-14 in 15 games this spring with Providence of the American Hockey League. Bentivoglio will attend his first training camp with the Islanders this September and is expected to contend for a spot on the team.

"This is an important signing for us," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "There was a lot of interest in Sean and our scouts are thrilled he chose to be an Islander. Sean was a dominant player in college and proved with the Providence Bruins that he's close to reaching the next level. He has NHL speed and playmaking ability and plays the game with a ton of determination."

The 5-11, 190-pound Ontario native played four years at Niagara and had 43 goals and 89 assists for 132 points in 145 games. Bentivoglio was captain his senior year and was 16-30-46 in 36 games on his way to being named CHA Player of the Year.

Bentivoglio signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement with the Providence Bruins on March 14, 2007. He played a major role in the Bruins' upset of the heavily-favored Hartford Wolfpack in seven games in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

"I'm very excited to sign with the Islanders and cannot wait for training camp," said Bentivoglio, who also will join some of the Islanders' top prospects for workouts on Long Island in late June.

Bentivoglio's college coach has the highest praise for his departing captain. "Sean could have signed with more high-profile college programs but came to us as a true freshman, played a regular shift and just got better with each season," said Niagara coach Dave Burkholder. "I compare him to Chris Drury because no one works harder in practice and in games than Sean. Islanders fans are going to love him."